COVID-19 stalls city
Gatineau adds month to urban planning consultation process
Gatineau has extended the process for its public consultation on the revision of its urban planning scheme and urbanism regulations until June 5. According to a press release issued by the city on May 5, the decision was based on the complexity of the file and the additional challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the period to send written questions ended on May 3, it explained that the city is implementing a framework intended to give citizens a platform to continue expressing their opinions on the subject. The city expects to provide more details soon.
Citizens can consult documents presented during the online consultation for the Aylmer and Hull sectors on April 28 and even watch it on the city’s website - https://www.gatineau.ca/portail/default.aspx?p=guichet_municipal/participation_citoyenne/consultations_publiques/consultations_publiques_2020/travaux_concordance_revision_plan_urbanisme.
The online consultation replaced events that were scheduled on March 12 and 18 for the Aylmer and Hull sectors, respectively. Public consultations for the Buckingham-Masson-Angers and Gatineau sectors happened on March 9 and 11, respectively.
Gatineau’s urban planning scheme gives a 10-year vision of the territory’s infrastructural development, as part of the city’s strategic framework stated in its revised management and development scheme (SADR) established in 2015. It stated that the goal of the urban planning review is to manage population growth to boost local economic efficiency and competitiveness, prioritize durable transportation, value heritage and nature, create complete and eco-responsible living spaces and to protect people and beings.
Plateau district councillor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette thanked the population for its high participation numbers and enthusiasm about the consultation process, noting that many questions and comments have not been addressed. “In this pandemic context, we desire to adapt ourselves to listen to what citizens have to say,” she said. “That’s why we’re prolonging the consultation to allow us to continue the discussion and help bring citizens closer to such an important file for Gatineau.”
The deadline set by the Quebec Ministry of municipal affairs and housing to end the consultation process is October 31.
